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Aug 08

Wales: British Isles' forgotten golf destination making noise

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Welsh Tour operators tell me roughly 90% of their guests have been on a Scotland or Ireland golf trip before Wales. It’s stiff competition in the British Isles, and this country, on the southwest end of England is making more and more noise.

There is no shortage of golf here: over 200 courses in a country of about 3 million people. 19th century links like Royal Porthcawl, Tenby and Pennard are as old as nearly anywhere, and I’ve heard great things. They’re also much cheaper than heavier-trafficked Scottish and Irish courses.

The Celtic Manor Resort, which will host the 2010 Ryder Cup has been upgrading and expanding since it was awarded the event. They just opened the new Montgomerie Course, which I played yesterday and is great fun. It’s on the short side (par 69, 6,200 yards) but plays much longer than its yardage suggests - tumbling up and down heavy hillside and has few flat lies. Though a parkland, it’s hardly “American” - not with expansive, rustic views and sheep and bull off in the distance.

I’m in Wales all week and will be blogging between stops and Brains beer.

Colin Montgomerie’s recently rebuilt Montgomerie course is one of three at Ryder Cup host Celtic Manor.

6 comments

1. § Shanks® said on : 08/08/07 @ 08:14
   As ever, BTuck, I'll look forward to your links adventures. Wales is definitely on the radar for future trips, as is SW England.
2. § Ron Mon® said on : 08/08/07 @ 12:09
   While my petty jealousies will keep me from the breathless anticipation that Shanks seems to experience, I will still grudgingly peruse your reports from The Land Of No Vowels or, The Land Of Excessive Gs, Ls and Ws. However, I encourage you to blog after the Brains beer, for a bit more illumination. Just don't admit the source.
3. § Golf Goddess said on : 08/08/07 @ 22:01
   OMG, are you in Wales? It's what, 64 degrees outside?
   It's 101 degrees Fahrenheit here in the States. Recalculated, that means it's 115 degrees on my balcony.
   I'd give a gajillion dollars to be in Wales right now.
4. § Brandon Tucker® said on : 08/09/07 @ 03:06
   Just warm enough for short sleeves :-)
5. § Shanks® said on : 08/09/07 @ 08:56
   Good God, will somebody please send Ron Monster on a 2 week trip to the UK? Apparently his brief stop in St. Andrews did not excite him about links golf. I'm pretty sure that a n extended stay would do the trick. After all, on Tom Watson's first trip he didn't enjoy himself either.
6. § Terry Allyn said on : 01/31/09 @ 22:45
   My adult son and I will be in Wales the last week in May. Plan on playing Pyle and Kenfig, Pennard, Tenby, Aberdovey, Royal St. David's, Nefyn and District and North Wales GC. I love the dunes, like the west coast of Ireland.Wild seaside links are more enjoyable to me than history or poshness so we'll be passing on Porthcall and Celtic Manor. Hey I'm an Okie, we've got some nice 'parkland' courses but we're short on seascapes and dunes.
   I hesitate to make tee times since our schedule is a little iffy. Anyone have any advise for that time of year and those courses?
   Terry
   

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